Member since: 2012
Activities: Hiking, backpacking
Meet Karen, a Texas transplant that found her passion for the outdoors in 2013 while on a hike of The Enchantments, no less. The trip “changed [her] life” and spurred her to research how to do similar trips without relying on anyone, so she could in turn take more adventures and make up for lost time. Up next? She’s prepping to take on the PCT thru-hike this year, where she hopes to meet like-minded people and assert herself on her biggest challenge yet.
Why is “outside” important?
The “outside” is important to me because I literally only discovered the outdoors a few years ago, and I grew a huge passion for pursuing the mountains and challenging myself with every trip I take. Getting outside has completely changed who I’ve become as a person and helped me focus on what is important to me. The outdoors gives me a place to think through my thoughts and reset my mind before heading back into the city life.
Who are you inspired by to get outside? In whom are you fostering a love for the outdoors?
I am inspired by families who take their children outside in non-traditional ways. I love seeing families step outside of their comfort zones in order to experience the outdoors and value the time together as a family away from city distractions.
I want to inspire youth to get outside and experience genuine friendships together. There is something about being outside that makes people vulnerable and transparent, they have no technology to distract them from fostering real relationships with one another. I also want to educate the youth on the importance of preserving and maintaining our trails. This is the generation that will be taking care of our trails 30 years from now, and it’s up to them to pass it on to their kids.
You’ve been prepping for the PCT thru-hike. What excites you most, and what challenges do you most fear?
I am most excited to meet other thru-hikers and town people. I have heard so many stories from others but can’t wait to experience these trail stories firsthand. I have a handful of fears, and this might sound silly, but I’m quite terrified of the bugs mainly! I really hate the thought of things crawling on my body! Also, getting stuck on a ridge during a thunderstorm scares me as well.
What other adventures are on your bucket list?
I have the itch to travel after the PCT and plan on trekking through Patagonia in the fall. I have never backpacked outside of North America, and I think Patagonia would be the perfect place to see after my trip. My legs will be in the best shape of my life!
What is your favorite piece of gear and what’s the story behind it?
My favorite piece of gear is something simple: my Nalgene water bottle. I suffer from a slight case of Raynaud’s, which causes my toes to ALWAYS feel frozen, even in the summertime. I boil water and pour it into my Nalgene for bedtime, put the bottle inside a mountaineering sock and sleep with it in my sleeping bag. It’s like a mini heater. Throughout the night, I will reheat the water as needed and move it around to cold parts of my body; it’s been a lifesaver. The best part is that since water won’t freeze overnight at high altitude, I have water the next morning for breakfast without having to melt any snow!
What does being an REI co-op member mean to you?
I get to be part of an organization that really values my voice and inspires me to experience the outdoors. They are willing to help me pursue that, each step of way. I feel taken care of and valued by REI.
You live in the Seattle area and have lots of access to great outdoor spaces. But growing up in Texas, you said you were “completely unexposed” to the outdoors. What advice would you give to someone who also considers themselves unexposed to the outdoors, but who would like to be?
I think the first step is to do your research. If it’s something you truly want to pursue, put that time, energy, effort and money investing in the right tools, knowledge and skills in order to make it happen. Sometimes, there are just not many “outdoor” options where you live, but you can always find something, I promise!
Looking for more inspiration? Read other REI Member Portraits here.
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